I will be attending Grad School in Moscow and was wondering if you know how is life like there?

Weather: Moscow is a lot like Chicago weather-wise except it snows more.

Traffic:Traffic is horrible like any US city except that they don't obey lane designations. If there is room between cars to start a new lane, then they will do so. I've even had a driver cause pedestrians to jump out of the way when he decided to use the sidewalk. On some of Moscow's main streets you will find cars parked on the sidewalk which is something you don't usually see in the US.

Buildings: There are no single family homes in Moscow, just row after row of apartment buildings. No high-rises like here in the US. I stayed on the 17th floor of one building and I had a clear view all the way across the city.

Safety: My wife and I walked all over the city. We felt much safer than Washington DC, Chicago, or some other cities here in the US. There are always lots of people walking, not like here in the US. We walked arm-in-arm so as to blend in with the Russians and not stick out of the crowd.

Shopping: Clerks generally get what you want. Even in GUM, don't expect to take something off the shelf and carry it to a register. We had security all over us everytime we picked something up before we realized that you let a clerk do it for you.

McDonald's is everywhere. Sbarro pizza delivers in cars painted just like here. There are many American restaurants and hotels. But over the past three years, I've noticed that Moscow is getting more and more expensive. Oh, and they don't have full bowls of water in the toilets. If you don't know what I mean, you will once you get there. Otherwise, Moscow is very much like the US.

If you travel outside of Moscow into one of the regions, then it is nothing like here. If you wander out of Moscow, try to learn Russian because in Moscow you can normally find someone who speaks a little English, in the regions, I seldom found English speaking people.

Oh, and in Moscow, they had grocery stores with toothpaste and all the other necessities that you need. You'll be able to find anything you need.

Hope this helps.

What? We're not that backwards! It is different from the U.S. in some aspects, but just as similar in others. I'm native to the southwestern Russian Federation, but I now live in North America; I can say that they are two different cultures. As for the cost of living, it depends on where you want to live. As in many parts of the world, it is more expensive to live in a fancy part of town. Russia's not anymore dangerous than the U.S. The people in Moskva are poorer in comparison to the U.S. in general, but just as everywhere else, you'll have people who are well-to-do. (For example, I was lucky enough to have parents who worked hard for us, and I have lived well.) It depends on how much you are willing to work or sometimes luck. You just need to be sure to use good judgement obviously. I've hitchhiked all over Eastern Europe, and it's certainly not dangerous...I'm alive yet anyhow. I think that this will be a good experience for you as you clearly are wondering if the American stereotype of Russia is true by asking this question. You'll find many similarities between the U.S. and Russia in the large cities, but as you get farther from the town, you'll really see the difference. I recommend visiting the countryside for day trips as much as you can; it's certainly unique. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it; you'll find that no matter where you go most people are generally nice, but use good judgement. Also, don't act confused, but again, ask for help when you need it! A great deal of Russians know at least another language and English is a fairly popular choice for that. The younger Russians will probably even want to practice their English on you once they find out you speak it! Just use good judgement, avoid questionable locations, and enjoy!

The climate is a slightly cooler there in the summer and much colder in the winter than in the US. The traffic jams are just as bad in Moscow as they are for any large US city. The vodka is far superior in Russia (they know how to make it). You will see much westernization starting to move in. From McDonald's, Sbarro pizza, TGIF restaurants, Pepsi and Coke to bill board signs with the Marlboro cowboy. Be sure to eat the Russian food there and stay away from the American. Don't forget to visit Red Square!

why are you going to grad school in Moscow?

Russia is INCREDIBLE! Its so much nicer in my opinion then the USA! You can get everything there that you get in the USA.